I'm also am a  lucky runner with the trots.    I learned over the years for me no fiber, no alcohol, and no take out or questionable foods like Mexican or Chinese and if I give in  I bring TP on the next days run, which I do all the time anyway.     What was normal for me before I ran changed and every day now, run or not,  I know whats coming.    There is no pain.   It there is pain involved then I believe that is a much bigger problem.   Race day I take a big giant swig of Kaopectate but not on my normal run days, so far it's worked fine and there is not much info on possible overdosing.  You would probably just get bound up if that happened.   If you can figure out a way to stop the trots completly PLEASE post that!!

Carole

When are you running during the day ? What do you eat ?

Don't start anti-diarhea pills. It's just a question of diet. Before running, I am eating only 1 banana, 1 hour and a half or 2 before my running. It fills a need.. and doesn't stuff much. If you run just after breakfast, lunch or dinner.. then it is no surprise than your body responds in such a way.

Hi, I saw your post and was wondering if you intake any amount of foods with the sugar alcohol maltitol in the several days prior to your long run. This would be in sugar-free gums and candies, as well as some sugar-free packaged pudding and some other sugar-free items. I finally figured out that this was a major contributor to the same types of tummy troubles that I recently was having. Other sugar alcohols, as well as synthesized sugar replacements (e.g., Splenda) cause me a similar problem, but not to the extent that maltitol did.

I completely eliminated maltitol containing foods, along with most foods containing other sugar alcohols and other sugar replacements, and have nearly nixed the problem. Occassionally, I do still have a similar type of problem when I eat too many fruits on the day prior to a run over 5 miles and limiting fruit to 4 servings a day usually prevents the problem.

Sugar alcohols cannot be digested so they sit in your intestines and basically ferment, creating a lot of gas. For the non-runner, this may be fine. But for runners, particularly some that are more sensitive, for whatever reason, they do some weird thing along with other remaining food in your intestine. For me, I could literally feel my intestines "turn liquid" at some point during a long run, and then I knew I was in trouble. Similarly, some fruits can have a similar type of effect, maybe because of slower digestion, particularly those with a high fructose/glucose ratio (e.g., mangos, apples) versus those with lower (e.g., bananas).

I'm hedging on the maltitol and other hidden sugar alcohols, which you should completely eliminate. I found that these affected me as long as 3 days before a longer run. Fruit adversely affects me in the same way, but only the day prior if I eat more than 4-5 servings.

Hope this helps!

I agree with what the others have said. Foods you eat, watch sugar alcohols, etc.

Also, I started taking a probiotic supplement about a month ago and WOW....it has made a HUGE difference for me. So that is just something else you might check into.

Hydration, electrolytes and food, in that order.

I used to have stomach trouble after as few as 10 miles, especially on mountain runs with a lot of hills. I found I was WAY underdoing water, losing salt and not eating enough when I was hungry. Now I can pretty much run all day provided I have these 3 things.

First I would try to make sure you are getting all the water you want. In other words, just think if you could stop and drink all the water you wanted, how much would you drink (not enough to burst, but just to satisfy)? Then, if you are sweating make sure you are getting salt/electrolytes from something like S-caps. They also help avoid cramps. Finally, if you are hungry during the run eat something. Training your stomach to be able to consume food or at least some form of energy like Clif Bloks or Gu during exercise will help.

When your stomach shuts down it's because it thinks you are in a life-threatening situation and digestion is secondary to whatever so-called "emergency" is going on. All the above things serve to keep your body on an even keel and help it to regard intense physical activity as normal and not as a life-threatening situation. Hopefully your body will respond by acting smoothly and normally.

Both corn and mushrooms are difficult to digest, so definitely lay off those before running. If "natural" remedies don't work, the one prescription med that helps with bowel problems is Lomotil. Ask your doctor about it.....

I've had the same problem on my runs that are over an hour.  After talking with my doctor and a couple other people I've had to make a few changes to my diet and it has seemed to help a ton!  The day before and the day of my long runs I eliminate caffiene, raw veggies (salads, broccoli), and dairy from my diet.  I also make sure that I stop eating 2 hours prior to starting my long runs. I make sure to drink a ton a of fluids the day of my run but 2 hours prior I just take small sips rather than large gulps of water. I also bring water with me on the runs.  I figured that the shot blocks and sports beans with caffiene were probably not a good idea either.  I now eat orange slices and/or pretzels on my long runs if needed.  Definitely make sure to use the bathroom before you head out the door. My doctor suggested taking 1 immodium prior to the long run as well.  Since I've made these changes I had little to no problems.